How do I start writing an essay?

Before you start writing, you need a clear idea of what you are arguing for. First, look at the question and just try to answer it in your own head, or on paper if you like, in the most basic terms you can. This applies for both questions you are given, and for those you have written yourself. Does a clear answer come to mind? If so, write down any examples you can think of from the text to support your opinion, as your first stage of planning. If not, then do you think your ideas about the question could form the basis of a coherent argument? To find out, you should write these ideas down and remember that conflicting ideas on a subject can still make for a great essay, as long as you work through them logically and come out with a consistent and clear argument, trying not to contradict yourself.The process of planning varies for each person but one important thing you must have is an idea of how you will structure your work. It must have a clear beginning, middle and end, and each point you make must be developed with examples, analysis and, for the highest level of work, consistent links back from each point you make to your overall argument. This helps to maintain a clear, coherent voice throughout your essay - 'signposting', if you like, what you are doing with each point to your reader/marker. You should plan for your introduction to set out your arguments, telling the reader what you are going to do throughout the course of the essay, as succinctly as you can, while your conclusion should bring your arguments together and answer the question clearly, without simply repeating yourself.Starting the actual writing-up of your essay is almost always the hardest part and this is true at any level from GCSE to university. The best thing to do is to go back to your first stage of planning, think about the question in the most basic terms you can and set out your argument from there. Remember, if it is a piece of coursework you are working on, just write what you can and you can always change it later; setting yourself targets for the number of words you write in the next 30 minutes or an hour can be really helpful. Whereas, in an exam situation, you need not worry about this; the pressure of the situation means you will start writing, but be careful to stick to your plan.